SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Gillette New LC
Voskhod #1
Rudy Vey Cherry Vanilla Chief 2 Band
MDC Original
Dickinson's ++Menthol, Unrefined Shea Butter
Fine - Platinum


​

I've begun my Sept. Focus already. This month and next I will be comparing several OCs to the Mongoose.
The OCs are: iKon Short Comb, iKon OC DLC, Maggard OC, and Gillette New Long Comb.

Today's shave was a BBS on 2 Passes + clean up. The Voshod may be one of Putin's best DE blades. The New Rhodium finished New virtually slid through my whiskers like a Nantucket Sliegh Ride. Muy Buen, Cisco! MDC Original scent was excellent as usual. Topped it all off with a spatter of Fine Platinum.

 

I think I'll participate as well. My focus will be that I will be using only razor shaped objects in September - note, there will be NO ball shaped razors this month for me.

 

Yeah it's definitely a YMMV thing. I've used it before for a couple months, and got a tech after to go all the way back to basics just to make sure it wasn't me messing myself up. I think it's just a thirsty razor I need to learn more about.

 

I don't own a SE so I can't join yalls club lol, but I really could benefit from a focus. This month I'll focus on my Alba Dawn I bought from @gssixgun several months ago. The end goal will be a close comfortable shave but a bbs shave would be an added bonus. I'm debating on whether or not to change soaps but to keep things simple I'll probably stick with Caties Bubbles for the month.

 

That's really great! Impressive?

 

WOW! Thats the whole enchilada right there!

Good ol' Neal - always taking the bull by the horns!

(Hope you have the face for it my friend!)

 

Thank you. Kind of what I ended up trying for. The "real" focus is just to hang around and cause trouble. I think mission accomplished.

 

+1

 

I'm also not going to use an alum block unless I have razor burn or a nick. I've used alum for each shave for the last three years and I need to see if it's beneficial or not...

 

That is a major accomplishment for you. Glad to see you here!

 

I'm joining in with SEptember. I have a G1 injector supposedly being delivered tomorrow with some blades and in a week or so I'll have a Gem Micromatic Flare tip also with some blades. I'll be starting the month by whisker wacking the last weeks growth with an unbranded chinese shavette then when the SE razors come in the mail the focus will start. I will be sticking with Proraso soaps in the tub but since I have not seen a difference in performance between scents I will be rotated them based on my mood. I will be using my Semogue brush all month long. it quickly became my favorite brush unless I pull out my Williams. I will not be for this month so the peerless with sit parked in the cabinet all month. I hope to have 2 full weeks with each razor. I wanted to try SE and see what all the fuss was about and this was the perfect reason.

Thanks for continuing the 30 day focus threads.

 

August 30

Batch 2 Mongoose with Dr. Bomber handle
Feather Professional blade (1)
Shavemac two-band silvertip brush
Trumper's Coconut cream and glycerin
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Trumper's Coral Skin Food

I got a jumpstart on my SEptember focus with the Mongoose today. I first noticed the weight of the razor compared to my Gillette adjustables. The workmanship is top notch as well. The Shavemac brush generated a quick and protective lather compared to my EJ Synthetic. Overall, it was a fantastic DFS+ shave in two passes. It's easy to see why so many people like the Goose. It looks like a beast, provides a great shave, and is very forgiving. I hope to dial in my technique for a consistently close and comfortable two-pass shave using different brushes, soaps, and creams.

Have a great week!

 

Great setup. Looking forward to following you getting reacquainted with the Mongoose this month.

 

It's always nice to get acquainted with your mongoose.

 

September focus time! I just finished my 30 Day Rule and feel like I have learned a huge amount regarding technique in the past month. The only two SE razors I have use proprietary blades and I do not have any, so will be watching the posts on SE razors.

As a result, I think I am going to go through some blade samples. I plan to stick to 3 days with each blade. They will all be used with my Lord L6 razor, VDH Boar Brush, and will rotate through three soaps/cremes with each blade (Stirling Lemon Chill, Stirling Gin and Tonic, and Proraso red cream).

I have a bunch of blades still from samples and a couple more that I received this past month, so will have a bunch to choose from. Right now the following blades will be used (and it includes the Voskhod for @NCoxSTL since I don't think it got a fair try when I had poor technique in July):

1) Voskhod
2) Ladas
3) Astra SP (another I don't think I gave a fair try)
4) Supermax Titanium
5) Super Iridium
6) Bolzano Superinox
7) If I have time, the scary feather.

I plan to mix in a few shaves with my standard bearer the GSB to make sure I am doing a fair comparison.

I really look forward to reading everyone's posts, especially those doing the SE razors as I am hoping to add several injectors, and maybe some blades for my proprietary blade razors, to my den before long.
Here is hoping for a good month and lots of learning for everyone.

 

I'm breaking tradition here. I'm saving my Gem focus for October, and am doing a ball end focus this month, simply because I'm going on vacation and want to take the Tech with me. Nothing but a Tech and Derby blades, and I should be very acquainted with it by the end of the month.

 

I like 4 of those blades. Voskhod, Ladas, Astra and the Super Iridium...all fine choices. I like where your head is at!